Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus soaking time if using dried beans)
Cook Time: About 3 hours
Total Time: About 3 hours 20 minutes (plus soaking time, if needed)
Servings: 10
Difficulty: Easy
Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans are a Central New York favorite. This homemade copycat recipe features tender navy beans simmered in a rich, savory-sweet sauce with smoky bacon, onions, brown sugar, and molasses for the classic homemade flavor everyone loves.
Served at family dinners, holiday meals, summer cookouts, and church picnics for generations, these baked beans have become a tradition for many families. This recipe includes directions for both dried and canned beans, making it easy to enjoy this comforting homemade side dish no matter the occasion.
Why you will love this recipe:
- Rich homemade flavor – Smoky bacon, sweet onions, brown sugar, and molasses give these beans their signature savory-sweet taste.
- Made with simple ingredients – Everything you need is easy to find at your local grocery store.
- Feeds a crowd – Perfect for potlucks, family dinners, backyard barbecues, and large gatherings.
- Easy to make ahead – Prepare them in advance and simply reheat before serving.
- Even better as leftovers – The flavors deepen overnight, making the leftovers just as delicious the next day.
What makes Grandma Brown’s Beans So Special:
Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans have been a Central New York tradition for generations. After the family-owned factory closed in 2020, the beloved beans became difficult to find, inspiring home cooks to recreate the rich, savory-sweet flavor with homemade copycat recipes.
Ingredient Notes
- Dry Navy Beans: Soaking the beans overnight helps them cook evenly and gives them the best texture. If you’re using the canned bean version, be sure to drain and rinse them first.
- Baking Soda: Added while soaking, it helps soften the beans and reduces cooking time.
- Brown Sugar: Gives the beans their signature sweetness and helps create a rich, caramelized sauce.
- Onion: Adds savory flavor and becomes soft and tender as the beans bake. Bay Leaves: Infuse the beans with subtle, savory flavor while they cook. Be sure to remove them before serving.
- Thick-Cut Bacon: Adds smoky flavor and richness that makes these baked beans taste homemade.
- Salt: Enhances the flavor of the beans and balances the sweetness.
- Water: Helps the beans cook low and slow until they’re tender and the sauce thickens.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How To Make Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans
- Rinse the navy beans and remove any debris or stones.
- In a large pot, whisk in the baking soda into 6-8 cups of water and add the beans. Bring the water to a boil, then remove from heat and cover the pot.
- Let the beans sit overnight.
- The next morning, preheat your oven to 300°F.
- Drain the water from the beans, and then add brown sugar, salt, Onion, and Mix well.
- Add diced bacon to the mixture and stir to combine.
- Transfer the bean mixture to a Dutch oven or casserole dish with a lid.
- Bake at 300°F for 5 hours, stirring every hour and adding more water if necessary to prevent the beans from drying out.
- After 5 hours, check the seasoning and adjust if necessary.
- Serve and enjoy your homemade Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans!
Tips & Variations
- Soak the beans overnight for the best texture and more even cooking.
- Don’t skip the baking soda if you’re using dried beans. It helps soften the beans and speeds up cooking.
- Cook the bacon until just crisp so it stays flavorful after baking.
- Keep an eye on the liquid. If the beans start looking dry while baking, add a splash of hot water.
- Let the beans rest for 10 to 15 minutes before serving so the sauce has time to thicken.
- Add a little heat with a pinch of cayenne pepper or a few dashes of hot sauce.
- Make them smokier by stirring in a little smoked paprika or using smoked bacon.
- Try maple syrup in place of some of the brown sugar for a slightly different sweetness.
FAQs about Grandma Browns baked beans
Our Favorite
What To Eat With Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans
Grandma Browns Baked Beans
This homemade Grandma Brown's Baked Beans copycat recipe is rich, hearty, and full of classic savory-sweet flavor. Made with tender navy beans, smoky bacon, onions, and brown sugar, it's the perfect side dish for holidays, backyard barbecues, potlucks, and family dinners.
Ingredients
- 1 Pound Dry Navy Beans
- 1 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
- 1 Tsp Salt
- 1 Cup Brown Sugar
- 6 Cups Water
- 1 Medium Onion Diced
- 2 Bay leafs
- 4 Slices Thick Cut Bacon Cooked
Instructions
- Rinse the navy beans and remove any debris or stones.
- In a large pot, whisk in the baking soda into 6-8 cups of water and add the beans. Bring the water to a boil, then remove from heat and cover the pot.
- Let the beans sit overnight.
- The next morning, preheat your oven to 300°F.
- Drain the water from the beans, and then add brown sugar, salt, Onion, and Mix well.
- Add diced bacon to the mixture and stir to combine.
- Transfer the bean mixture to a Dutch oven or casserole dish with a lid.
- Bake at 300°F for 5 hours, stirring every hour and adding more water if necessary to prevent the beans from drying out.
- After 5 hours, check the seasoning and adjust if necessary.
- Serve and enjoy your homemade Grandma Brown’s Baked Beans!
Notes
For the best texture, soak the dried navy beans overnight before cooking. If you're short on time, follow the canned bean variation included in the recipe. Cook the bacon until just crisp so it holds its texture while baking, and check the beans occasionally during cooking, adding a little hot water if they begin to dry out. Remove the bay leaves before serving. Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 4 days or frozen for up to 3 months.
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Do the sit in the fridge or on the stove top?
I did the instapot recipe and they came out way too soupy! Help!
I’m not sure what happened when I tried it turned our perfect. If you can put it on saute until more water cooks out or put it on the stovetop.
How many cans equals a pound of beans? Should the bacon be cooked before adding to the beans?
I would do 3 cans and yes the bacon is cooked first i hope this helps